from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
ampule \ampule\ n.
1. a small glass bottle which has been or can be sealed
hermetically by application of flame to a narrow opening
at the top.
Note: aAn ampule usually has a narrow constriction near the
top which can be scored and easily broken to open the
ampule. Once opened, they cannot be hermetically
re-sealed; thus the quantity contained is usually that
which is to be used at once or within a short time. The
contents are often sealed under vacuum to retard
degradation by air.
Syn: phial, vial, ampoule
[WordNet 1.5]
2. an ampule, or vial resembling an ampule, which contains a
drug.
[PJC]